Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Waterline Mini set to embark in attempt at circumnavigation of Australia world records

by Nic Douglass 27 May 2022 18:22 PDT
Waterline - The Little Aussie Lap © Nic Douglass

This Sunday May 29, 21 year old Australian, Xavier Doerr, will commence "The Little Aussie Lap", a solo non-stop unassisted circumnavigation of Australia in his 21ft Mini Transat yacht, Waterline.

He will attempt to beat the World Speed Sailing and Guinness World Records as the fastest and smallest racing yacht to complete the lap of Australia.

Lisa Blair, who holds the current record for around Australia at 58 days, completed a solo non-stop unassisted circumnavigation of Antarctica on Wednesday 25 May in 92 days, beating the existing record by ten days on her second attempt.

Doerr, is aiming to complete the lap in 50 days, and join Blair as one of few sailors who have successfully completed the solo unassisted non-stop lap of Australia.

Waterline, Mini Transat hull 176, has a rich racing history residing and racing in both France and Bermuda, before making its way to Australia, landing in Melbourne.

Xavier Doerr purchased the vessel in October 2021 when it was completely stripped and rebuilt by hand in preparation for the next adventure Down Under.

The circumnavigation of the Australian continent is equivalent to 1/3 of a lap of the Globe or 12 Sydney Hobart Races, approximately 7500 nautical miles.

"I have chosen to go counter-clockwise to use the most preferable weather systems and while it is coming into Winter, it will be the perfect timing to get the most favourable winds" said Doerr.

"A huge challenge will be sleep deprivation as I plan to sleep in 15-minute blocks to keep a proper watch and avoid collisions with other vessels and floating debris" he continued. "I have a commercial timer which will ensure I wake every 15 minutes."

"One of the biggest challenges for me will be social isolation" Doerr divulged. "Everyone who knows me well knows that I am an outgoing person, so being in my own head for that long will be a challenge. I plan to call my team when I can and have packed a "Wilson" Volleyball as a companion."

Two years in the making, this campaign could not be possible without the incredible support of generous sponsors. Aramex, Waterline Dive Cleaning, Deepwater Collective, Zhik, RawCorp, Australian Framing Solutions, Evolution Sails, Rope Solutions Rigging, Ocean Crusaders and his base, the Southport Yacht Club.

You can follow "The Little Aussie Lap" via a Live Tracker on the website and the Support Team will post regularly to Facebook and Instagram.

The challenge commences this Sunday, May 29, from the Southport Yacht Club where a flotilla and large media contingent will follow Xavier as he makes his way out the Seaway and to the start line for a 10am commencement, the start will also be streamed on The Little Aussie Lap Facebook Page.

What’s Onboard?

Waterline is well equipped with multiple spares and a tonne of safety gear, spare sails, medical kits, EPIRBs. There is over 2km of rope on the boat, but what the real stats are is that there are…

• Over 200 freeze-dried meals
• 30 x cans spaghetti and meatballs
• No bananas
• 200 litres of drinking water
• 2 x iPads
• 2 x phones
• 1 x Satphone
• 1 x Go Pro
• 1 x Drone
• 5 x hats
• 2 x sunglasses
• 5 x bottles of sunscreen
• 3 x sets of thermals
• 2 x bottles of Bushman’s repellent
• 1 x pair ski goggles
• 3 x portable chargers
• 1 x toothbrush
• 1 x machete
• 1 x fishing kit
• A 6ft 3in human with big dreams and huge goals
AND
• 1 x Wilson Volleyball

Related Articles

WASZP Games 2025 overall
Perfect conditions for the final day showdown The final day of the WASZP Games 2025 delivered everything you could want in a championship showdown—tight racing, pressure starts, tactical battles, and decisive performances. With the Gold Fleet behind on their race schedule, the priority was clear. Posted today at 5:04 am
Rolex Fastnet: Steady conditions expected
Competitiors are expected to start in a 12-14kt Westerly and assisted by the easterly tide. Predictwind's metrologist Arnaud Monges expects the Rolex Fastnet Race to get underway in a 12-14kts WSW breeze, with a building current from an easterly direction. Using weather routing we have predicted finish times for the Ultims and AC25 yachts. Posted today at 1:05 am
Rolex Fastnet Race/Admirals' Cup: Big questions
"So far we've under performed as a boat in the Admirals' Cup. We're looking to put that right." The defending Rolex Fastnet champion, Caro (NZL) faces some big questions given their performances to date in the Admirals' Cup. However the Botin 52 has a reputation for scoring strongly in longer offshore racing - will they repeat in 2205? Posted on 25 Jul
Centenary Rolex Fastnet Race start tomorrow
Coundown to blast off for the 444 yachts entered For the 444 yachts entered in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's centennial Rolex Fastnet Race all eyes remain on the weather going into the last hours before the start tomorrow (Saturday 26 July). Posted on 25 Jul
Canada's entry into the iconic Rolex Fastnet Race
Team Be Water Positive returns to settle unfinished business Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive will line up this weekend for the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the most iconic offshore races in the world. Posted on 25 Jul
Register now for the Rolex Big Boat Series
Fees will increase by $275 after July 31 Registration fees for the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club from September 10-14, 2025, will increase by $275 after July 31, 2025. Posted on 25 Jul
U.S. Launch of Switch One Design Foiling Dinghy
Melges will oversee national sales, support, and class growth Melges is proud to announce the official U.S. launch of the Switch One Design, a cutting-edge foiling dinghy that's redefining accessibility and performance in high-speed sailing. Posted on 25 Jul
Snipe Women's World Championship day 2
The breeze started to build up earlier in the hot morning temperature As predicted, the temperatures were very hot the morning of the second day and the breeze started to build up earlier than day one. The first race, a windward/leeward course, began at 11 am in 15-17 knots and increasing chop. Posted on 25 Jul
Independence Cup Preview
Takes place off Burnham Harbor this weekend Dozens of sailors with physical limitations from all over the world will compete this weekend in the Independence Cup race at Burnham Harbor from July 24-27. Posted on 25 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 7
Sarah-Quita Offringa survives Super Final scare to earn 16th Freestyle world title Sarah-Quita Offringa survives Super Final scare to earn 16th Freestyle world title and 27th overall, while Yentel Caers powers to victory in Men's. Posted on 25 Jul
V-DRY-XNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastC-Tech 2021 (Spars-QFX Racer) 728x90 BOTTOM